...I'm back in Vancouver after having spent almost three weeks in Scotland where I had a great time with my daughter who is studying at the University of Edinburgh for a year... While I spent a good part of my stay exploring Edinburgh, we did make our way up to the Highlands where the scenery was truly spectacular; without a doubt, there is something quite magical about castles set in stunning autumnal landscapes like Dunvegan Castle above and Eilean Donan Castle below, don't you think?!...
While we did have a fair amount of rain during the first part of our three-day jaunt through the Highlands (sadly, we didn't see much when we popped over to the Isle of Skye because of crazy heavy rain...), the weather eventually improved and the views that met our eyes were simply breathtaking...
I was so struck by how the rugged beauty and drama of this corner of the world seemed to be constantly heightened by ever-changing skies, resulting in the most beautiful natural colour palettes...
And what of of all those postcard prefect vistas of sweet flocks of fleecy sheep grazing by charming old country manor houses... sigh!... After three delightful days spent in the Highlands, I was completely smitten and I promised myself that I would be back and stay a little longer next time...
A somewhat unexpected highlight of my visit to Scotland was an overnight stay at New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site; while searching "Scottish wool" online, "New Lanark" popped up and I was instantly intrigued. I decided to book us into a night at the on-site hotel which gave us time to explore this beautifully restored village and its environs...
New Lanark World Heritage Site is a very picturesque 18th century mill village nestled by the fast-moving River Clyde, less than one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh. Its restoration began in the 70s and now visitors can tour exhibits, such as recreations of millworkers' houses and a typical school classroom, as well as historic working textile machinery; there is also a shop selling locally made textiles, a café and restaurant, and the New Lanark Mill Hotel where we stayed. What makes this historic cotton mill village unique, and made it undoubtedly worth restoring, is that it is where Scottish social reformer and philanthropist, Robert Owen, moulded his Utopian vision of a model industrial community without crime, poverty, and misery, in the late 18th century and early 19th century.
Apart from its historic importance, I think this site is really worth a visit simply to admire its gorgeous setting in lovely Scottish landscape as well as the beautifully painstaking way it has been restored; the latter becomes abundantly clear in exhibit photos showing how the village fell into ruin after its cotton spinning enterprise was finally shut down in the 60s. The hotel, which is located in one of the buildings above, offers the most charming rooms which all face the lovely river and surrounding forest. What a treat it was to fall asleep in our beautiful room...
...to the sound of the rushing River Clyde!...
New Lanark is also surrounded by beautiful walks which take you from the village...
..along lovely paths running by the river into the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve...
...which eventually lead to beautiful falls like the ones below...
Today at New Lanark, there is still spinning that goes on on the mill floor, but is wool rather than cotton that is spun; it is possible to view this 19th century spinning mule hard at work which spins...
...the lovely Scottish wool which led me to the discovery of this incredible UNESCO site, and which is readily available in the large on-site mill shop in a range of yarn weights and a beautiful color palette...
So, did I buy any of it?... What do you think?! I will show you my New Lanark purchase as well as the rest of the yummy Scottish loot I brought back with me in an upcoming post... I hope you enjoyed this wee Scottish travel diary of mine and I hope you pop by again to see the rest of it... I leave you with this photo of a charming facade spotted in the lovely historic town of Stirling -- thanks for the visit!...
I love Scotland, i need to go there more.
Posted by: Emma Rankin | November 05, 2018 at 07:49 AM
Your photos are so beautifully framed that they make me want to reach for my watercolors. And I can hardly wait to see the treasures you brought home. Wool - mmmm!
Posted by: Helen | November 05, 2018 at 12:29 PM
So perfectly autumnal... a great time to visit. Looks like you had a lovely time!
Posted by: mrs robinson | November 08, 2018 at 09:41 PM
My daughter traveled in scotland and Skye this summer and your photos remind me of hers. It seems to me one could stay all day doing photos! the colors of the scenery and the sky are so breathtaking! Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Quinita | November 13, 2018 at 08:20 AM